Maryland Nursing Schools And Programs

Maryland gives you a wide range of accredited nursing programs, from community college ADNs to doctoral work at Johns Hopkins. This guide covers the schools worth knowing, how to earn a Maryland license, and what RNs and nurse practitioners actually earn here. Every program listed below is accredited, because accreditation determines whether your degree qualifies you for licensure and graduate study.

The Best Nursing Schools in Maryland

The right program depends on your background, budget, and where you want to end up. Use NCLEX-RN pass rates, format, and clinical placement as your first filters.

Home to one of the top nursing schools in Maryland, Johns Hopkins University offers a full spectrum of nursing programs: master's-level tracks, post-master's certificates, and doctoral degrees. Specializations include organizational leadership, psychiatric mental health, nurse practice, nurse anesthesia, and nursing education. Students can earn a concurrent MBA.

• Programs: MSN, DNP, Ph.D. in nursing, and post-master's certificates
• Campus: Baltimore, Maryland
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $52,300-$65,000 per year full-time MSN, $39,900-$50,760 doctorate, $21,480-$29,755 post-master's certificate
• Admission Requirements: All applicants need prerequisite degree/coursework (depending on program) completed at a regionally accredited institution. MSN entry-into-nursing track applicants need a B- or higher. MSN specialties or doctorate applicants need a B or higher.
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Programs offered on-campus and online
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.5% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $95,359 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Towson University offers a traditional BSN and an RN-to-BSN bridge. It also runs an associate-to-bachelor track in partnership with Maryland community colleges. The second bachelor's and MSN options work well for career changers.

• Programs: Associate-to-bachelor nursing dual enrollment, BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN
• Campus: Towson, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $3,550 per term in-state, $11,076 out-of-state for full-time undergraduate; $460 per credit in-state, $952 out-of-state for graduate
• Admission Requirements:
• Associate-to-bachelor: A 3.0 cumulative GPA and prerequisites in general chemistry, nutrition, and microbiology with a 2.0
• BSN: 42 undergraduate credits, lab science and English composition prerequisites, and TEAS scores
• RN-to-BSN: An associate degree or diploma in nursing; RN license; 2.5 cumulative GPA; and prerequisites in general chemistry, nutrition, and microbiology with a 2.0
• MSN: A bachelor's degree, 3.0 cumulative GPA, and prerequisite statistics and science courses
• Minimum Time Commitment: 5 terms
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.8% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $66,984 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Salisbury University carries one of the most diverse program lineups in the state, spanning undergraduate and graduate levels: a traditional or second BSN, RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN, MSN tracks in nurse education and healthcare leadership, and a DNP.

• Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, and DNP
• Campus: Salisbury, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition:
• On-campus: $10,396 per year in-state, $20,872 out-of-state for full-time undergraduate; $9,558 per year in-state, $15,678 out-of-state for full-time graduate
• Online: $420 per credit in-state, $760 out-of-state for MSN; $665 in-state, $840 out-of-state for DNP
• Admission Requirements: University admission; prerequisites or degree (depending on track); RN license for RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, and DNP; and a 3.0-3.5 GPA for MSN and DNP
• Minimum Time Commitment: 3 semesters
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.3% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $63,267 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Frederick Community College offers a practical nursing (PN) certificate and an ADN, plus university partnerships for RNs who want a bachelor's. Its transition-to-RN track gives military medics, paramedics, and licensed PNs an accelerated path to an ADN.

• Programs: PN certificate, ADN, transition-to-RN, and BSN university partnerships
• Campus: Frederick, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for ADN program
• Tuition: $129 per credit in-county, $282 in-state, $382 out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: Applicants need college-level English and math or placement tests, CPR training, a background check, and TEAS exam scores. Prerequisite classes for clinical rotations include anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.1% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,516 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

Harford Community College runs two RN tracks: a traditional or accelerated ADN and an LPN-to-RN transition. Both prepare you for the NCLEX-RN. Coursework covers fundamentals, medical-surgical, mental health, pediatric nursing, and leadership, with clinical placements throughout.

• Programs: LPN-to-RN and ADN
• Campus: Bel Air, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $133 per credit in-county, $226 in-state, $319 out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: A minimum 58.7 TEAS score, 16 college credits with a 2.5 GPA and completed prerequisites, and a criminal background check
• Minimum Time Commitment: 4 semesters
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.4% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,582 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

Carroll Community College prepares ADN graduates for the NCLEX-RN, with separate ADN tracks for LPNs, paramedics, and military medics. Other students earn a PN certificate. Carroll also partners with four-year schools for an associate-to-bachelor dual degree.

• Programs: PN certificate, ADN, and BSN university partnerships
• Campus: Westminster, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $136 per credit in-county, $225 in-state, $288 out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: A high school diploma or GED certificate, 2.5-3.0 GPA, prerequisite courses, and NLN-PAX exam scores
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 79.2% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $59,288 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

The College of Southern Maryland offers an ADN, a PN certificate, and two transition-to-ADN options for LPNs and military medics and corpsmen. ADN graduates qualify for the NCLEX-RN; PN certificate holders can sit for the NCLEX-PN.

• Programs: PN certificate, ADN, and transition-to-ADN
• Campus: La Plata, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $134-$235 per credit in-state, $301 out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: A high school diploma or GED certificate, 2.0 GPA, prerequisites or college placement tests, and a 59% TEAS exam score
• Minimum Time Commitment: 14 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 77.8% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,641 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Anne Arundel Community College awards PN certificates and ADNs. The ADN pathways serve prelicensure students, transfer students, and LPNs, paramedics, and military veterans. The curriculum builds on cultural diversity, the humanities, nursing theory, and the sciences.

• Programs: PN certificate and ADN
• Campus: Arnold, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $120 per credit in-county, $253 in-state, $408 out-of-state
• Admission Requirements: Prerequisite coursework, TEAS exam scores, a criminal background check, and CPR certification
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.5% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,756 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

Hood College runs a BSN that blends a liberal arts foundation with nursing coursework, emphasizing communication, critical thinking, leadership, nursing theory, and evidence-based practice. Faculty arrange clinical placements.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Frederick, Maryland
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $42,510 per year
• Admission Requirements: Applicants submit high school transcripts and an admission essay. Optional materials include test scores, an interview, recommendations, a resume, writing samples, or an online portfolio.
• Minimum Time Commitment: 4 years
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.3% first-time pass rate

Hagerstown Community College offers two routes to RN licensure: a traditional ADN and transition programs for LPNs, paramedics, and military veterans. You can finish in three years or take the more rigorous two-year track. HCC also partners with two universities for an associate-to-bachelor option.

• Programs: ADN and BSN through university partnership
• Campus: Hagerstown, Maryland
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $123 per credit in-county, $192 in-state, $236 neighboring states, $252 other states
• Admission Requirements: SAT, AP, and TEAS exam scores; nursing program preview attendance; official transcripts; prerequisite science courses; 2.0 cumulative GPA; and 2.5 prerequisites GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.6% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,218 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Maryland

Weigh tuition and costs, financial aid, the curriculum, the NCLEX-RN pass rate, and the program format. If you choose an online program, confirm you can secure clinical placement in your own community before you enroll.

Why Become a Nurse in Maryland

Most Maryland nurses work in and around Baltimore, but jobs also open up in rural communities and small towns within reach of the city. Demand for RNs continues to grow nationally, and Maryland's membership in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) adds flexibility: a Maryland multistate license lets you practice in any other participating state without filing for a separate license.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Maryland

Maryland RNs earn a median of $96,830 a year, above the national median of $93,600, with roughly 49,000 RNs employed statewide (BLS, May 2024). That premium matters because Maryland is one of the more expensive states to live in, with a cost-of-living index around 120 against the national 100.

Demand stays strong even though the federal government projects a surplus of about 12,100 nurses through 2030, since compact membership keeps a Maryland license portable. Pay runs highest in the Baltimore metro, home to Johns Hopkins. Ranked highest to lowest, the top-paying Maryland metros for RNs are Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, Salisbury, and Cumberland (BLS).

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Maryland

Every state requires a nursing degree, a passing NCLEX-RN score, and an application to the state board of nursing. Maryland's application also calls for a passport-style photo, a criminal background check, and proof that you do not owe child support or have a tax hold.

RN Requirements

To earn a Maryland RN license, graduate from an ADN or BSN program in Maryland or another state, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply to the board of nursing. Submit your fingerprints for a background check, and confirm you owe no child support or outstanding taxes. The board posts the full application forms and requirements.

APRN Requirements

To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you need an MSN or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) plus a current Maryland or compact RN license. If your program is not board-approved, ask your school to apply for approval.

The board requires a declaration of residence, sealed official transcripts, and proof of board certification or eligibility to test. Your transcript must show completed coursework in advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Maryland

Are nurses in demand in Maryland?

Yes. Demand for RNs continues to grow, and graduates from Maryland's stronger programs stay especially competitive. The federal government even projects a modest nurse surplus through 2030, but compact membership keeps a Maryland license usable across state lines.

How do I become a nurse in Maryland?

Earn an ADN or a BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, submit your fingerprints for a background check, and apply to the state board of nursing. You may not owe child support or have outstanding taxes.

How long does it take to get a Maryland RN license?

An ADN takes about two years; a BSN takes four. The ADN is faster and cheaper, but a growing number of employers require or prefer a BSN for higher-level roles. Maryland has strong programs at both levels.

Is the University of Maryland a good nursing school?

Its NCLEX-RN pass rate runs above the state average, a solid signal of program quality. As always, the right fit also depends on tuition, curriculum, structure, and whether you can secure clinical placement near you.